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  • 9

    cl400

    A baby can get hungry at any time and it is a mothers choice to bottle or breast feed. If breast feeding, people should respect their privacy and not look or watch them.

  • 11

    japan_cynic

    Entirely natural and nothing to worry about or object to.

  • 16

    badmigraine

    Why is breastfeeding, which is completely natural function and one main reason the entire human race exists and has survived, something on which people are thought to have a "view"?

  • 2

    papasmurfinjapan

    Why is breastfeeding, which is completely natural function and one main reason the entire human race exists and has survived, something on which people are thought to have a "view"?

    Well, for some highly-strung ultra-conservative folk, a breast being shown in public, regardless of the reason, can be considered indiscreet, and therefore objectionable. This was in the news last week in Australia, when a woman breastfeeding by a public pool was asked to move and feed her child somewhere else. A TV host got into hot water by defending the decision and saying women should breastfeed "discreetly".

    The feminist movement jumped on this saying women have the right to breastfeed whenever and wherever they like. While I understand their point of view, I think they should take into consideration the thoughts of others when choosing where they will feed their baby. For example a woman may have the "right" to feed her baby on a packed train, and no-one has the right to stop her, but she should understand that some people will feel uncomfortable by this.

    Personally, I myself have no problem with women who breastfeed in public. They are doing no harm.

  • 5

    Farmboy

    Deal with it... the kid's gotta eat.

  • 5

    Frungy

    cl400Jan. 26, 2013 - 09:07AM JST A baby can get hungry at any time and it is a mothers choice to bottle or breast feed. If breast feeding, people should respect their privacy and not look or watch them.

    I agree tha the baby should eat when it's hungry and that the mother should be allowed to choose whether to breastfeed or not... however I disagree with the final clause in your sentence. If someone is breastfeeding in public then I should NOT have to avert my eyes.

    That would create a ridiculous situation where someone on a train opposite someone breastfeeding would have to move or stare at the ceiling until they were finished. It also strongly creates the impression that the act is in some way embarrassing or inappropriate.

    Nonsense. Breastfeeding is entirely natural, and if some woman was breasfeeding opposite me I wouldn't stare, but I certainly wouldn't pointedly look away. I would refrain from looking at her breasts, but a nod and a smile, as well as possible a comment about how cute her baby is, would be entirely appropriate and set her at ease and make it clear that she was not offending anyone, or doing anything wrong.

    ... staring at the ceiling would just make everyone uncomfortable and discourage mothers from feeding their babies when the baby is hungry.

  • 0

    Wonbatto

    For the first few months of life, babies need to feed on demand, as the goal is to ensure healthy weight gain. They are not feeding on a schedule. To argue that there needs to be any significant restrictions on breastfeeding in public would effectively mean that society doesn't expect women to be out of the home much when they have very young children, or have to be extremely limited in their movements when they do go out. That in turn places greater burden on women and ultimately makes the prospect of having children (or having more children) less desirable - that's an attitude that this country really doesn't need right now.

    Discretion is key, but I think there are not many women who don't want to be feeding discreetly. I do think that it's common courtesy to make some effort to offer some level of privacy. I don't think we all need to look at the ceiling and whistle when a mother is feeding nearby, but often things happen in public (child having a tantrum, people having an argument, someone drops a grocery bag, etc.) that the people involved might appreciate some discretion on the part of onlookers.

  • 3

    Betraythetrust!

    It is a normal function. A mother should try to be with her child at all times,it s best for mother, child and society. Too many prudes in this world, a mother has every right to breastfeed when and where she wishes.

  • 4

    edojin

    No problem here. As a matter of fact, on Wednesday a young Japanese mother carrying a young boy about a year old sat beside me on the Ginza subway line here in the center of Tokyo. The youngster hit me with a swinging hand, and I noticed that he was busy drinking his mother's milk. I then looked at the passengers sitting opposite me and they were all throwing glances her way. What they were thinking I don't know, but an elderly woman in front of me had a severe expression on her face.

    Probably when one breast ran rather dry, the boy switched to the opposite side, moving her blouse out of the way so that he could continue his breakfast/lunch.

    As I got up to get off at my station, the mother apologized ... probably for her son bumping me occasionally. I replied with a "that's okay" motion.

    I didn't see anything wrong with the whole scene. Nothing was exposed ... and the young boy was happily fed ...

  • 1

    illsayit

    that's an attitude that this country really doesn't need right now.

    Well some people talk as if this country doesnt approve of breastfeeding in public, and that is a bunch of something that I disagree with. What I do think is that contrare to what wonbatto says, this country doesnt need to have mothers of real young ones -because we should distinguish of what age child we are referring to when discussing this subject- mothers of newborns and perhaps to at least the first year of age, who feel pressure to be able to perform as a mother and also be able to maintain the lifestyle of a woman with no dependants. That is a pressure that this country doesnt need. The women themselves feel that pressure enough in my opinion. And it is that pressure that turns young mothers away from having children. Now if anyone wants to bring up the discussion of what age they are referring to when breastfeeding, Id be happy to give my opinion then too, if you want.

  • 1

    Meguroman

    Anyone who has a problem with babies getting nourishment is daft but I see no reason why the random public should have to see your boobies. (Dont get me wrong, I looove boobies) but showing them in public is simply lacking in decorum. My wife breastfed our 2 boys everywhere and anywhere BUT always covered up, she usually had large scarf thing and was rather deft at doing the whole thing very discreetly, with style. With a few exceptions, we never had any issues in Japan, traveling in the US, etc. However, there was one time in a train station in Tokyo when I came out of the mens room and some dude was standing over her, trying to look down for a peek at the milk factories. One look at her eyes and I was standing next to him in 1.5 seconds. After a pause while he figured out we were related (she`s Japanese, I am not), my body language did all the speaking and he moved on.

  • 2

    sakurala

    Wow...I just had this same discussion on a pregnancy site and these answers are about 200% more civil. Happy to read everyone's opinions :D

  • 4

    Novenachama

    In all honesty I could care less what others do to nourish their children nor how long they do it for. Unfortunately due to the over-sexualization of the breast women are sometimes made to feel uncomfortable. Thus the best way to normalize breastfeeding is to have it central to culture. Therefore I support breastfeeding and people need to acknowledge that feeding is hard work. In the first few month, it's a full-time job. It takes patience and determination and even then it doesn't always work together.

  • 0

    Tessa

    What an odd question. Hungry babies should be fed whenever, wherever they are (and using the favoured method of the parents). Doing it discreetly is not an issue at all, because it's not necessary to bare both breasts at once.

    As little as ten or so years ago it was really common to see young mothers nursing their infants in public places, and no-one batted an eyelid. What has happened since then?

  • 0

    Wonbatto

    this country doesnt need to have mothers of real young ones ... who feel pressure to be able to perform as a mother and also be able to maintain the lifestyle of a woman with no dependants.

    I don't think many couples have children expecting that life will go on largely unchanged - becoming new parents introduces some pretty significant life changes. My point is that as a society we can be supportive of families with young children, or we can see children as a burden and stigmatize their presence. Disdaining breastfeeding in public does more subtly what outright disapproval of or discrimination against working mothers does more directly - it encourages couples to see having children as a liability and discourages couples from having them.

    Bearing and raising children is difficult work enough, and for couples who want children and have the resources to care for them, we would do well as a society not to put up arbitrary barriers for them.

  • -11

    Cos

    What does "in public" means ? It's logical that some mothers have to breastfeed in an airport, a big station, etc, but well, they can find some sheltered corner. There are places and occasions when I find it inappropriate because in the first place a baby in breastfeeding age has no business being taken there. The media have shown some cases of women breastfeeding a in stadium or a theater, and frankly if I was the manager of these places that wouldn't happen because they wouldn't enter.

    working mothers

    Most have a maternity leave that roughly covers the breastfeeding period, Very few working places can possibly be equipped with a nursery -supposing that's actually what working mothers wish. The baby has to be somewhere after feeding, they can't put the cot under a desk if they work in a office, in the kitchen for a restaurant, in the teacher's room for a school... If they want to breastfeed during 3 years, they can only work from home.

    As little as ten or so years ago it was really common to see young mothers nursing their infants in public places

    In your imagination. I have not seen one in all my years in Japan. And I've worked years with toddlers and their mothers.

  • 0

    Tessa

    In your imagination. I have not seen one in all my years in Japan. And I've worked years with toddlers and their mothers.

    You're kidding! Perhaps they were doing it so discreetly that you really didn't notice ... or perhaps your obviously disapproving "atmosphere" made it difficult for them to relax and do it in your presence. I've seen it all, even seen a three-year-old child being nursed by her mother, admittedly in my classroom. Apart from that, I've seen mothers nursing in amusement parks, on park benches, on trains even. But as I said, that was ten or more years ago. It's no longer the case these days.

  • 0

    gaijinfo

    It's her right to sit in public and breast feed if she wants.

    But it's also my right to stare at her if I want.

    If I don't like her breastfeeding, I can leave.

    If she doesn't like me staring, she can leave.

    Can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't demand to do whatever you want in public (breast feeding), while putting restrictions on me (no staring).

    Of course, all bets are off if this is private property, like a restaurant. It's up to them to come up with whatever rules they want, like breast feeding is OK, but staring isn't. And they will attract their customers accordingly.

  • 4

    ChibaChick

    I nursed all my babies whenever and wherever they needed it. I agree it is natural, etc. BUT - I have known some women who seem to make a sport out of whipping a tit out and looking around for a reaction. I dont like that. You can get really pretty and discreet breastfeeding shawls and with a little practice they are dead easy to use. There is no need to be in anyones face about it except the baby him or herself!

    The one and only time I was ripped apart for BFing in "public" was - would you believe - in a health center waiting for my babys 3 month check up. We had just settled down under the shawl while we were waiting and a squawking old harridan marched out from behind the reception counter and ordered me to stop because there were "men around" (there werent and even if there were,so what, Im under a shawl!) When I pointed that out to her she marched off into the back office and dragged out some poor guy of about 25 who looked absolutely mortified and presented him in front of me with a flourish and a "SEE! MEN!!" I ignored her and she told me I was "komaraseru everyone" (inconvenciencing everyone around me). By this point I was getting a bit peed off so I stood up shawl and all and asked everyone in a loud voice if that was the case. Of course, everyone put their heads down and no one answered me. So I sat back down and said to her "No, just you it would seem!" She then went off into a racist rant about how foreigners dont respect J culture and at that point I realised what was really going on and detached my baby, gathered up my stuff, asked for my documents back, and left. She flipped because she then knew she had to explain to her superiors why I had come in and registered but not seen the doctor and sent two lackeys to persuade me to come back. I refused. We made a formal complaint but of course, nothing happened.

    The one other time it caused a stir was at a kindergarten event and they had put me into an empty classroom to "do the deed", closed the curtains, switched the lights off, and then realised in a panic the door to the classroom had a small window in it. While 5 of them were running around desperately searching for a screen on wheels lest someone should get a long distance view of a bit of skin (I had my trusty shawl then too) the door suddenly opened and in wandered my friends lovely Danish husband, bored to tears and after a bit of conversation. He was still standing there chatting to me when the panic-stricken screen-hunters came back and found a MAN in the classroom. Well, you probably all saw and heard the explosion for yourselves over here in Chiba back in 2009 so no need to explain what happened next!

  • 1

    ChibaChick

    You're kidding! Perhaps they were doing it so discreetly that you really didn't notice

    Japanese women really are masters of discretion when it comes to this! I am constantly impressed by them when most of the time it just looks like the baby is sleeping even without a shawl. Maybe those cute little boobies are just easier to manage :( !

  • -1

    ChibaChick

    @parmelot:

    > FYI: A small glass of stout beforehand, relaxes mother, non-harmful to baby, and the yeast helps in making more milk...

    "Small"?! Dammit! Missed that bit ;) !

  • 3

    kimuzukashiiiii

    Its a non issue. Or at least it should be. I prefer a woman feeding that hearing a screaming baby anyday.

    In response to "why dont we see Japanese women b-feeding more?" Its because that most shopping centres or department stores have Breastfeeding rooms, for mothers and fellow shoppers comfort. They are very comfortable and pleasant, and mean you don't have to go and do it in a toilet, if you are a shy mother.

  • -1

    cleo

    I agree with kimuzukashii. The baby rooms in malls and department stores are pleasant and quiet - much better for baby than some 'public' space with all sorts of folk milling around making all kinds of disturbing noises. Many of them also provide bottles of formula and baby-food meals for babies in the process of weaning. I found them a godsend when mine were little.

    Never mind the 'rights' of the mother to pop a boob out when ever and wherever, or the 'rights' of squeamish men and old ladies not to have to see said boob; first consideration should be the rights of the little one to feed in comfort in a soothing atmosphere. Baby rooms are best, if no baby room is available then some quiet corner where baby isn't going to be disturbed.

    If you have a two-year-old-plus still demanding the breast whenever and wherever, then frankly that's a separate problem that the parents need to address.

  • 0

    illsayit

    Disdaining breastfeeding in public does more subtly what outright disapproval of or discrimination against working mothers does more directly

    wonbatto, please explain where you get the idea that women are discriminated against for being working mothers? I think you need to stipulate an age you are referring to to make any sense, otherwise it just seems like you have an agenda... a subtle one, and one that I am guessing I would disagree with. In fact Id be willing to bet that your experience in this area concerning breastfeeding is quite limited from the way you talk,but I am sure you could say anything to assure me differently. There is not the disdaining of public breastfeeding that is suggested. It happens in Japan too, and depending on the individual feeding or those in the surrounding environment to what extent public they are and to what extent they take offense or not. It is not illegal. I think there is a big difference between breastfeeding a newborn and a 3yo, and that would have different comments depending on what age group you are talking about.

  • 2

    Ah_so

    There are places and occasions when I find it inappropriate because in the first place a baby in breastfeeding age has no business being taken there.

    I think you will find that the baby's "business" in being in these places is being with its mother - usually a full-time occupation. Why you think it is your right to decree where mothers go with their offspring is beyond me.

    Your use of the term "inappropriate" and wish that they use a "sheltered corner" ultimately goes to your prejudice that female breasts are rude and should not be on display. I think this is rather prudish - breasts are only there for breast feeding and are not genitalia. There are plenty of countries around the world where breasts are normally exposed and where this discussion would be absurd.

    I find it sad that after more than a century, Victorian values still hold such sway in society.

  • 0

    Thunderbird2

    I think the operative word here is breast, and some people's reaction to same.

    To some they see the exposing of a woman's breast as no different from a woman going topless... they get turned on. Yes, folks, some guys are immature enough to get turned on by seeing a woman breast-feeding her baby. Until society matures enough you will always have objections to it.

    Personally I don't have a problem.

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